Hello! Here is my new Fairy Tail story, Paradox!
Title: Paradox
Rating: M
Genre: Supernatural, Horror, Romance, Adventure
Summary: In a world where magic is used only by the rich and the elite, debonair noble Lucy Heartfilia is far from pleased when her father assigns a trainer to help her with her magic. He is strong, sharp-tongued, mysterious, and dangerously powerful—and despite this, she finds herself drawn to him, and together they spiral into a world of darkness and intrigue.
Characters: Lucy Heartfilia, Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Jude Heartfilia, Erza Scarlet, Jellal Fernandes, Makarov Dreyar, Laxus Dreyar, Freed Justine, Bickslow, Gajeel, Sting, Rogue, others
Relationships: Natsu/Lucy (implied), Natsu/Gray, Laxus/Freed/Bickslow
Warnings: Blood and Gore, Torture, Emotional Manipulation, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Mind Games, Mind Manipulation, Depression, Implied/Referenced Torture, Implied/Referenced Character Death
Author Notes: This is based on an original story of mine I wrote a while ago. Enjoy!
I shrieked as a wave of darkness lunged at me, ducking out of the way. The man's maniacal laugh rang in the air as a crimson light began to burn from his once-emerald eyes.
He was getting closer, and that meant I would have to fight him soon.
My breathing becoming painful as I forced my legs to move, I continued to run in a zigzagged pattern, the way Father had taught me. It was a good method for avoiding kidnappers and pedophiles on the streets.
A low growl echoed throughout the forest, sending an unwanted chill down my spine.
"Little Lucy...I'm coming for you."
Gasping, I took huge breaths as I came to a stop behind a massive tree, crouching behind the trunk. I could wait here for a few moments to catch my breath.
"Aw, you're tired already?"
Terror racing through my body, I whipped my head around. The man loomed over me, ruby eyes bright and long raven hair flowing around his shoulders.
I screamed as he reached for me, his large hand tangling painfully in my hair as he wrenched me to my feet. Trembling, I whimpered as his long, snakelike tongue traced over my neck, his cold and damp breath lapping against my skin as he inhaled deeply and moaned in ecstasy.
"Little Lucy. You have no idea how delicious you smell."
My eyes widening, I jerked in his grasp and tried to connect my foot with his groin. "Let me go, you pervert!"
"Oh, no. I think not, my dear."
"That is enough!"
A wave of relief washed over me as none other than my father stomped in.
The wizard above me laughed huskily, shaking his head. "Mister Heartfilia. We were only practicing basic defense techniques."
Father came to a stop a few feet in front of the doorway, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "You think you can lie to me, boy? Let go of my daughter."
I wheezed sharply as his arms tightened in my hair. "Father, you don't need to—"
"I didn't give you permission to speak, Lucy." He kept his dark gaze on the wizard above me. "Release her now. I won't repeat myself again."
The raven-haired man growled but did as my father said, stalking past him and out of the hall, where a servant waited to escort him out.
"He didn't hurt you terribly, did he?" my father muttered, running his fingers through my long golden hair.
"No, sir," I murmured, keeping my gaze lowered to the ground as I shifted my weight between my feet.
"Good." He sighed and cradled me close to his chest. "Don't worry. We'll find the right trainer soon enough."
The next day, I woke to the soft rays of the sun streaming in through the window. Yawning and stretching, I sat up and ran my fingers through my hair.
"Miss Heartfilia?" There was a quiet knock on my door as a slim, pale maid peered in.
I waved a hand, glancing away. "You may enter."
"Your father wishes to see you as soon as you are ready. He said there were important matters to discuss." She sauntered over to the massive closet pushed against the opposite wall, opening the doors and pulling out a simple but elegant turquoise dress.
Sighing heavily, I stood and let the woman fuss over me. It was just another day in the Heartfilia Konzern, after all.
When I had finished my morning routine, I headed to my father's office. I paused as I raised my hand to knock, hearing the rumble of a few male voices echoing in the room.
"Lucy, come in already and introduce yourself."
Frowning slightly, I opened the door and entered silently. My father sat, tall and proud, behind his huge and imposing desk. His face was expressionless save for a glint in his eyes. Was that amusement I saw?
Standing to the side were two men. One was pale, with thick and shoulder-length raven hair that obscured one of his endless, soul-piercing obsidian eyes. He was dressed in sleek black pants that were tucked into heavy steel-toed boots, and a deep maroon shirt clung to his muscled frame. Resting on his shoulders was a long white trench coat.
His partner was a bit shorter, with tanned skin and muscles that were as prominent as his companion, and he had shockingly bright pink hair. His eyes were wide and bright green, almost unnaturally colored as he stared intently at me. He wore a black jacket that was trimmed with gold and white, and the sleeves ended just above his elbows. Loosely-made black pants hung from his hips, secured with a brown belt with a silver dragon buckle on it. He wore dark brown, calf-high boots as well.
It was then that I noticed the pink-haired man was clinging to the raven's arm with a vicious ferocity, almost as if he didn't want to let him out of his sight.
"Well, Lucy? Are you going to introduce yourself to these men?"
Startled out of my daydream-like state, I stuttered slightly and curtsied, aware of the pink-haired man's vicious stare on me. "I am Lucy Heartfilia, daughter of Konzern Heartfilia. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
The taller man's lips twitched into something that could have been a snarl or a smile. "You are surprisingly more beautiful than I thought you would be."
Irritation surging, I made to snap back at the man before I caught the look my father gave me. "I am glad to see that we meet your criteria, Mr...?"
Bottomless eyes widening, the man's lips finally curled back in a smile that was more feral than anything else. "Gray Fullbuster. And this fool here is my partner, Natsu Dragneel."
"May I ask what your purpose here is?" I demanded blandly, keeping my voice free of all emotion except for a little suspicion.
"We heard that Mister Heartfilia here was looking for wizards to train his daughter, specifically those who were not 'drunkenly blinded men with nothing but their twisted libidos in sight,' to quote the flier itself."
Gray's dark stare was beginning to make me uncomfortable, so I slowly looked away and found my attention drawn to the pink-haired man. He met my gaze and grinned brightly, exposing huge and razor-sharp teeth.
My father must have heard my nearly inaudible gasp as he spoke from his seat. "Lucy, these men are some of the finest wizards in the country and have expressed an interest in training you."
I glanced back at Gray, who smirked slightly. "I apologize if you were expecting me, Miss Heartfilia, but I am not the one taking the job."
"Then who is?" I questioned, crossing my arms.
"Natsu, quit acting like a commoner and speak to the little lady," Gray rumbled, elbowing the pinkette in the side.
The green-eyed man, Natsu, bared his teeth and sent a withering glare to the pale man. Reluctantly meeting my gaze, he nodded sharply and did something with his legs that I assumed to be a bow. "I'm Natsu Dragneel."
"My partner isn't from around here, and he's still getting used to the customs. You will have to excuse him for his poor manners." There was a dark undertone to Gray's voice as he met my father's stare boldly, his lips briefly exposing his teeth as his eyes narrowed slightly.
Sighing suddenly, the pale man shrugged Natsu off of him and loped towards the door in long strides. A sheen of frost filled his footsteps as he moved out into the hallway. "I must be taking my leave now. Natsu, do try to not burn down another manor, will you?"
With that, Gray Fullbuster was gone.
"Well, then." My father broke the suddenly awkward silence, rising to his feet with a slight groan as his back protested. "Natsu, a maid will escort you to the training hall. Lucy, my dear, head to your chambers and don the proper attire for combat purposes. Your new training sessions begin now."
I forced myself not to frown as he exited the room, leaving me alone with the strange man. Natsu met my gaze and that wide grin was on his face, but this time it sent chills down my spine.
"I guess I look forward to working with you, Miss Lucy." His voice was rough and jagged, stained with an accent I couldn't quite place. Natsu began to rock on his feet, clenching and unclenching his hands into fists. "Well, I'm hungry now, so I'll see you later."
With that, he was gone, and I was left staring after him as he vanished without a trace.
I groaned and rubbed the back of my neck. Just what exactly had my father gotten me into?
Thanks for reading! Review, please!
